Tax issue is Congress and media hype: BJP chief

Referring to the property tax imposition issue as a hype created by the Congress and the media, state BJP chief Kamal Sharma on Wednesday claimed that the state government was forced to levy tax under the terms and conditions laid down by the Centre.

Referring to the property tax imposition issue as a hype created by the Congress and the media, state BJP chief Kamal Sharma on Wednesday claimed that the state government was forced to levy tax under the terms and conditions laid down by the Centre.

"The tax issue has been exaggerated by the Congress and the media, but we will impose minimal tax on property just to meet the terms and conditions of the Centre in order to obtain grants. None of the states can develop on its own resources, without grants from the Centre. We have kept our promises and that is why our government is again in power. In this budget session, the public would see the development again done by our government," said Sharma.

Sharma claimed to have raised the issue of the free electricity being given to big farmers with SAD. "To provide free electricity to farmers was in our manifesto and we are keeping our word, but the benefit is being taken by big farmers on which we are having discussions with SAD. The Centre should empower the states in order to empower the nation. Grants should be given to states and they should be empowered to use them in their own way."

He said, "We have a target of winning all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab and will give our support on seats where SAD candidates will fight."